Murder and Robbery.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 208, 1 September 1896, Page 2

Murder and Robbery.

A WELLINGTON SENSATION. Wellington, August 28. News has just been received that Mr and Mrs Jones, who kept a shop at Petone, were found murdered this morning and the place robbed. It is supposed that the thief is the culprit.

A MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION. Jones was found on the kitchen floor, and his wife in the passage by the front door. The latter was lying in a pool of blood, which at first gave rise to the report that her throat was cut; but cursory examination fails to show any wound, and it is thought that she may have burst a blood-vessel through shock or in the effort of trying to escape. Jones had three stabs in the back. Nothing was taken from the house, as far as is known.

The police were early on the scene, but the only clue so far is a heavy footmark outside the house.

A man named James Shaw, employed at the Stop Bank, contract, Petone, has been arrested on suspicion of being connected with the tragedy. It is supposed that the murder o Jones and his wife took place somewhere between"? tand 9 o'clock last night, as a girl who called at the shop about 9 to make a purchase could make no one hear, though she saw a light burning. Jones was stabbed below the nape of the neck, right over the spine, also a little lower down to the left of the spine, and there was a third wound still lower down on the right of the spine.

A quantity of pepper had been thrown in his face, while there was a quantity of loose pepper strewn round the room.

There was no indication of a struggle, and on the kitchen table were the remains of a meal, apparently tea, which had been laid for two people, a kerosene lamp was still burning. Deceased leave two grown- ;p daughters, both married. Mr 3 Kirk, of Blenheim, being one, and Mrs Wade, of Invercargill, the other.

Jone 3 was aged 64, and did not enjoy the best of health. Mrs Jones was six years older, and of frail stature. Deceased lived very happily, and were highly respected by residents in Petone, where they were doing a good business in a general store. An examination of the body of Mrs Jones shows that she, too, died from being stabbed.

There is but little doubt tbat the nature of the crime was robbery, as a cashbox kept on the premises is missing. The culprit or culprits, however, could not have got away with much money, as evidence has been procured that late in the" afternoon of yesterday deceased was unable to cash a cheque for a small amount, but as accounts are usually piid on Thursday evening by Petone residents, this may have led up to the crime. The young man James Shore (not Shaw), who has been arrested on suspicion, is a laborer, well-known in Petone, where he formerly played as a member of the Petone senior football team. He was formerly .employed in the Gear Meat Company, and is aged 27.